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Home / Glossary / USB OTG
Glossary · Device

USB OTG

USB On the Go

In plain language

A feature that lets a phone or tablet act as the host for USB gadgets such as a keyboard or drive.

The metaphor

Like a phone that can host guests, who plug in and use its services.

Going deeper

How it works

  • Normally the phone is the guest; this makes it the host.
  • You can attach drives, keyboards and cameras.
  • An unknown device can carry malware.
  • Some company policies block it.

What can go wrong (example scenario)

A staff member plugged a free USB gadget into a company tablet. It turned out to be a data thief that copied files.

In practice
  • A tablet reads photos from a camera card.
  • A phone connects a keyboard.
  • A policy disables the feature.

A question owners ask

Is it risky?

Only with devices you do not trust. Treat unknown USB items like unknown links.

Related terms
BIOSBasic Input/Output SystemCCTVClosed-circuit TelevisionCSUChannel Service UnitEndpointESNElectronic Serial NumberFirmwareFPGAField Programmable Gate ArrayGPSGlobal Positioning System

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